2 Corinthians Chapter 8

The Collection for Homeland Christians

¹ Now I want you to know about God’s grace that the churches in Macedonia have given. ² During a time of obvious great hardship, in their abundant joy and deep poverty their rich generosity abounded. ³ I speak to the fact that by their ability and beyond they gave of their own accord. ⁴ They begged us for the favor of participating in this ministry to the saints, ⁵ not like we expected, but they gave themselves to the Lord first and to us by God’s will. ⁶ So we urged Titus that, like he made a beginning earlier, he would complete in you this grace too. ⁷ As you excel in everything—in faith, word, knowledge, diligence, and our love for you—excel in this grace too.                                                          

2 Cor 8:1-7

            ⁸ I’m not telling; I’m testing the sincerity of your love by comparing it to the zeal that others have. ⁹ You know the graciousness of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, he became poor for you so you could become rich from his poverty. ¹⁰ I’m offering an opinion for your advantage. A year ago you wanted to do this. ¹¹ Now according to your ability, finish what you started. ¹² If people are ready, it’s acceptable as they have, not as they don’t have. ¹³ The idea is not to make it easy for others and hard on you. It’s so there’ll be equality. ¹⁴ Right now your abundance supplies their lack so their abundance can supply your lack, so there’ll be equality. ¹⁵ Like scripture says,

                        “The one that gathered a lot didn’t have too much;

                                    the one that gathered a little had enough” [Ex 16:18].                          

2 Cor 8:8-15

Titus’ Role in the Collection

¹⁶ Thanks to God, who has put the same earnestness for you in Titus’ heart. ¹⁷ He accepted the appeal and has earnestly gone out to you of his own accord. ¹⁸ We’ve sent with him a brother that all the churches praise in the gospel. ¹⁹ We’ve chosen him to travel with us in this grace that we’re overseeing to the Lord’s honor and to show our commitment. ²⁰ We’re handling the matter this way so nobody can find fault with us in this generous gift. ²¹ We’re being careful about what’s appropriate in front of the Lord and people. ²² We’ve sent with them our brother that we’ve often found diligent in many things. He’s all the more diligent because of the confidence he has in you. ²³ Titus is my partner and fellow worker in respect to you, and our brothers are messengers of the churches and Christ’s honor. ²⁴ So show the churches the proof of your love and the reason we’ve been so proud of you.                                                                                                             

2 Cor 8:16-24